Stress

How many people in this modern world are overwhelmed by stress? My guess is that if you count yourself in this category then you are in the majority group.

So what is one to do?

The two approaches one can take are:

1) to reduce the stressful stimuli you encounter in your day.
2) to learn how to better deal with the stimuli so as to not be so adversely affected by them.

Learning how to stop
The Alexander Technique predominantly deals with number two of the above. It teaches you to become more aware of the physical reactions you have to stress - such as tightening various areas in your body, holding your breath, clenching your jaw etc. You, in time, learn how to prevent this pattern occurring and learn that you do in fact have the time to make a more level-headed choice that stops this tightening pattern take a hold of you.

Choice
As you become more successful at receiving stimuli and choosing your responses rather than reacting automatically, you have also lowered your stress levels. This in turn allows you to become calmer, to know yourself better and to make choices based on a better knowledge of what you can and can't cope with. As time goes on and you become more experienced at using this approach, you feel more able to consider the demands placed upon you and to give a thoughful answer to people - whether that be your partner, children, friends or work colleagues, in order to look after yourself.